IN STORE NOW! This section of IGN Japan recaps the games that made their way onto store shelves over the course of the previous week. If you're having trouble keeping up with what's new in the Japanese market, turn to this section every week.

The more competent readers will notice that this section is available on the regular IGN channels as well every Monday. Don't feel jealous -- we're just using it to tease outsiders.

The following games were released between 07.26.04 and 08.01.04. Click on the name to see all of IGN's current coverage on the title.

PLAYSTATION 2

Athens 2004 Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Genre: Sports, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 6090yen, Memory: 44K Peripherals: Multitap This game based off the upcoming Athens Olympic Games is already out in America. Sony Computer Entertainment is releasing it in Japan. The Olympics, while being a world sport, is limited to just the PS2 in video game form.

Digimon Battle Chronicle Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Fighting, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140yen, Memory: 42K A simultaneous release for PS2, GameCube and Xbox in Japan, this game places all the Digimon characters in a fighting game. The game lets players fight using either time limits, lives or items that have been picked up. Players have available to them standard attacks, guard moves, and special attacks.

DJbox Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Genre: DJ Tool, Other, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Includes Backup Feature Peripherals: P Other: requires PS BB Unit Premium Kit: Includes PlayStation BB units This multimedia application lets you see what it's like to be a DJ. You download a song from your favorite CD onto the PS2 hard disk and mix it to create your own cool sound. The game lets you choose from multiple effects as you make your sound.

F ~ Fanatic ~ Publisher: Princess Soft Genre: Fantasy, Suspense, Adventure, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140yen, Memory: 107K Other: First run edition includes original 2 CD set Set in 19th century London, this suspense drama title places you in the shoes of a newspaper journalist investigating the Jack the Ripper case. The game's storyline changes based on how you play, meaning you'll be able to further explore the game's mysteries by replaying multiple times. Bad endings are a possibility, so you'll have to be careful when choosing your path through the story.

Guilty Gear Isuka Publisher: Sammy Genre: Fighting, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 236K Peripherals: Multitap It's still the best looking 2D fighter around, and its latest installment is now on the PS2 in Japan. Guilty Gear Isuka features the four player action of the arcade game along with two new characters.

I Love Baseball: Pro Yakyuu wo Koyonaku Airusu Hitotachi e Publisher: Sammy Genre: Baseball, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 112K Sammy brings more big-headed baseball to Japan, just in case the hundreds of thousands of people who picked up Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 11 weren't happy with their purchase. In addition to big heads, this game features realistic animation, year 2004 player data and over 300 real life baseball players. By collecting cards, you can raise your players' stats. Six hundred cards are available. Modes of play include practice, single game, pennant and tournament.

Kaiketsu! Osabakina Publisher: Kid Genre: Comical, Adventure, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 135K Osabakina is a character from a Japanese radio drama. She's apparently popular enough that Kid decided to make an adventure game based off her. You play as a newbie manager whose goal is to make Osabakina into a big idol. Osabakina is portrayed by voice actress Nana Mizuki, who also acts as producer for this game -- her first game project! The game features interactive dialogue sequences in which your choices change your path. Also included are a few button mashing sequences which directly affect the events of the story.

Komorebi no Naokomichi ~ Utsurikawaru Kisetsu no Naka de Publisher: GN Soft Genre: Love, Adventure, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 121K Other: First run edition includes Sakura figure and mini-drama CD It's another PC love simulation, now appearing on the PS2 with a new opening movie. You play as Kouichi, who lost his wife years ago. The game places you in a love story involving six girls, letting you choose your path through dialogue sequences.

One Piece: Land Land! Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Comic, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140yen, Memory: 107K The latest game based off the One Piece comic and cartoon takes a side scrolling action approach. Stages are based off the original show and have you defeat enemies and collect items from treasure boxes. In addition to the character that you're controlling, you can call upon the help from two support characters.

Rockman X Command Mission Publisher: Capcom Genre: Adventure, RPG, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 110K Mega Man's latest outing takes the form of an RPG set in the Mega Man X universe. You build up a party consisting of X, Zero, Axl and numerous other characters, and progress through dungeons, fighting enemies in random, turn-based battles. The game's battle system features action elements and lets you switch between party members as you please, with no turn penalty. The PS2 version includes a demo of Mega Man X8 while the Game Cube version has Game Boy Advance connectivity in the form of a device that aids in treasure-hunting.

Samurai Spirits Zero Publisher: SNK Playmore Genre: Fighting, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 200K This latest entry in the Samurai Showdown series features characters not found in the arcade version for a total of 26 characters in all, including classic characters from the series. Build up your "Ikari" gauge to do mega damage to enemies. However, be sure and pay attention to your "Kengi" gauge, which determines how much power your attacks have and goes down and up as the fight progresses.

Natsu Shoujo: Promised Summer Publisher: Success Genre: Love, Adventure, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 680K The tag line for this game is "The unforgettable three summers that I spent with you." For summer vacation, you've decided to head into the country. Luckily, you manage to meet and befriend four girls. The game takes place over three summers, with the girls growing up (in all the right places). You choose your path through dialogue sequences and events, leading to a different ending and some lovin' from one of the girls. This PC port features new images and one additional heroine.

The Nigthmare of Druaga: Fushigi no Dungeon Publisher: Arika Genre: Adventure, Dungeon, RPG, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7329 yen, Memory: 444K The classic Famicom dungeon crawler comes back to life in full 3D as part of the Mysterious Dungeon series. Playing as Gill, you enter Druaga Tower in order to save your girl, Kai. Movement through the many floors of the tower offers the feel of an action game while remaining turn-based. An auto-save feature prevents players from cheating when things don't go their way.

GAMECUBE

Digimon Battle Chronicle Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Fighting, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 1 Blocks A simultaneous release for PS2, GameCube and Xbox in Japan, this game places all the Digimon characters in a fighting game. The game lets players fight using either time limits, lives or items that have been picked up. Players have available to them standard attacks, guard moves, and special attacks.

Rockman X Command Mission Publisher: Nintendo Genre: Adventure, RPG, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 6090 yen, Memory: 10 Blocks Mega Man's latest outing takes the form of an RPG set in the Mega Man X universe. You build up a party consisting of X, Zero, Axl and numerous other characters, and progress through dungeons, fighting enemies in random, turn-based battles. The game's battle system features action elements and lets you switch between party members as you please, with no turn penalty. The PS2 version includes a demo of Mega Man X8 while the Game Cube version has Game Boy Advance connectivity in the form of a device that aids in treasure-hunting.

Shinseiki GPX Cyber Formula Road to the Evolution Publisher: Sunrise Interactive Genre: Anime, Race, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 1 Blocks This futuristic racing title is based off the Shin Seiki GPX Cyber Formula cartoon and has been ported over from the PlayStation 2 version with new characters and some machine design changes. Transform your vehicles to different forms as you race in order to best deal with the current area of track. Four player split screen play is included.

X-BOX

Digimon Battle Chronicle Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Fighting, Action, Release: 08.05.04 Price: 7140 yen, Memory: 11 Blocks A simultaneous release for PS2, GameCube and Xbox in Japan, this game places all the Digimon characters in a fighting game. The game lets players fight using either time limits, lives or items that have been picked up. Players have available to them standard attacks, guard moves, and special attacks.

GAME BOY ADVANCE

Don-chan Puzzle Hanabi de Doun! Advance Publisher: Aruze Genre: Puzzle, Action, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature Peripherals: Link cable Other: Naruto Original SP comes with game and orange GBA SP (17540 yen) This puzzle game has been ported to the GBA from the arcades. A roulette determines which blocks will fall next as you attempt to clear your screen just like in -- well, just like in all these falling-block games. New to the GBA is an "Omake" mode which lets you use points that you've earned during play to unlock special items.

Duel Masters 2 Shobu Kirifuda Version Publisher: Takara Genre: Anime, Card Game, Release: 07.22.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature Peripherals: Link Cable This title serves as an update to March's Duel Masters 2: Invincible Advance. Changes have been made to the storyline and original cards have been added.

Final Fantasy I - II Advance Publisher: Square Enix Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, RPG, : 07.29.04 Price: 6090 yen, Includes Backup Feature Square's latest Game Boy Advance title is another remake, this time of two classics, Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II. Both games feature improved graphics, most likely pulled directly from the PlayStation Final Fantasy Origins compilation. On top of that, Square Enix has added new dungeons and bosses.

Legends: Yomigeru Shiren no Shima. Publisher: Bandai Genre: Anime, Raising, RPG, Release: 07.29.04 Price: 5040 yen, Includes Backup Feature This RPG is based off a popular cartoon now running on Japanese television. You attempt to free legendary creatures known as Legends, who've been sealed away with a substance called "Soul Doll." Battles involve you and your pack of Legends taking on monsters. The game includes a special Soul Doll and Soul Adapter peripheral that, when connected to the Game Boy Advance makes a new Legend appear in the game. Players will be able to purchase other Soul Dolls and use them in the game.

Power Pro Kun Pocket 1 - II Publisher: Konami Genre: Baseball, Raising, Action, Simulation: 07.29.04 Price: 4179 yen, Includes Backup Feature Peripherals: Link cableFinal Fantasy I and II aren't the only classics getting remade for GBA. Konami has taken the first two Game Boy Color entries in its mega-popular Power Pro Kun Pocket series and combined them into one GBA cartridge. Player data has been updated to year 2004.

Any thoughts on the latest Japanese game releases mentioned in the above section? Send your comments to the IGN Japan mailbag.